'Into The Woods' a childhood dream come true

November 25, 2011|By Abigail Hummel of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

The curtain rises and it's a childhood dream come true: a stage full of characters from the world's most beloved fairy tales, meeting and interacting in creative and unexpected ways. In Cardinal Gibbons' production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," this far-fetched fantasy became reality, taking the audience on a journey "into the woods and out of the woods and home before dark!"

"Into the Woods" intertwines a multitude of familiar fairy tales, including "Cinderella", "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk," and "Rapunzel." The clever and complex plot focuses on the Baker and his Wife, a childless couple who have been cursed by a Witch. As they set out to lift the spell of infertility, they come across many strange situations in the woods…and learn many lessons along the way!

Marionna Marchelos starred as the Witch and flourished in the demanding role. Marchelos maintained a remarkably consistent character throughout the show and displayed an impressive vocal range, excelling in songs that varied from a rap to a ballad. Alongside Marchelos were David Stewart and Elizabeth Guttmann as the Baker and his Wife. Stewart and Guttmann were superb both on their own and as a pair, displaying a loving tenderness toward each other that anchored their interactions.

Two notable supporting actors were Malcolm Flavell as Cinderella's Prince and Christian Klein as Rapunzel's Prince. The two Princes nailed every line with impeccable timing and hilarious facial expressions, creating an impressive comedic duo that excelled in songs such as "Agony," the musical highlight of the show.

The ensemble as a whole worked as a seamless team characterized by dedication and boundless energy. The most enjoyable scenes of the show by far were those times when all the characters gathered on stage to share their morals, creating an organized chaos that was executed brilliantly. The cast truly excelled at maintaining distinct and fully developed characters while still interacting in charming and believable ways.

From a technical standpoint, the show ran flawlessly. Scene changes were executed smoothly; even in full stage light, they were hardly noticeable and facilitated the fast pace of the show. The brightly colored lighting design clearly distinguished between characters and scenes, and the use of sound effects was spot-on. The makeup was beautiful and elaborate, skillfully emulating the fantastical nature of the show without ever being distracting.

Captivating from beginning to end, "Into the Woods" was truly an unforgettable presentation of high school theatre. The woods can be a scary place, but as Cardinal Gibbons clearly proved, "everything you learn there will help when you return."